Mike Sullivan’s Emotional Rangers Debut Spoiled as Penguins Shut Out New York in Season Opener

Former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan’s much-awaited first recreation with the New York Rangers went off unexpectedly Tuesday evening, as his former workforce embarrassed him with a 3–0 loss at Madison Square Garden.

Penguins Spoil Sullivan’s Return in Opening Night Clash

Sullivan, who spent a decade main the Penguins to 2 Stanley Cup championships, admitted it was a surreal expertise teaching in opposition to acquainted faces like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.

“I knew it would feel different. But I’m excited about the group we have here. There’s a lot of potential, and we’ll grow together,” Sullivan mentioned by way of ESPN.

The Rangers struggled with their rhythm on offense, getting simply 5 third-period photographs. Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs made all 22 saves he noticed, and ahead Justin Brazeau scored each targets to present Pittsburgh the season-opening win.

Sullivan’s Honest Take

Sullivan did not let the poor opening to his Rangers’ life faze him. He mentioned that the workforce had gone a protracted option to develop into the “team he wants to be.” Regardless, he’s hopeful to bounce again for the following recreation.

The seasoned coach, who may also be piloting Team USA to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, confused persistence and improvement as he begins crafting a brand new identification for the Rangers.

Furthermore, Sullivan instructed the reporters that the workforce’s effort is “not nearly consistently enough” to win this time.

New Chapter After a Legendary Penguins Era

Sullivan’s departure from Pittsburgh in April introduced a near a historic streak. Signed in 2015–16, he turned the Penguins’ all-time winningest coach at 409 victories and joined an unique record of solely 14 NHL coaches to succeed in 400 wins with a single workforce. His management ushered back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017.

Only days after he departed from the Penguins, the Rangers inked Sullivan to a five-year contract, the highest-paid coach within the NHL. The 57-year-old labored as an assistant coach in New York from 2009 to 2013 below then-player and now GM Chris Drury.

Crosby Looks Back on Playing Against His Old Coach

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby acknowledged the unusual sensation of enjoying Sullivan for the primary time. He mentioned it is “always weird at first” to play in opposition to somebody he labored with earlier than. Still, he must give attention to how one can win the sport.

Adding to the sentimental reunion, Sullivan introduced former Penguins assistants David Quinn and Ty Hennes with him to the Rangers’ bench.

Dan Muse Earns First Win as Penguins’ Head Coach

Although Sullivan misplaced his first recreation, new Penguins coach Dan Muse had a successful debut in opposition to his outdated workforce. Muse, an assistant coach to Peter Laviolette in New York, was interviewed for the Rangers’ job earlier than Sullivan was employed, in keeping with the sources.